Multiple probe hepatic radio-frequency ablation: Ex-vivo experiments in the porcine model

D. Haemmerich*, J. G. Webster, F. T. Lee, A. W. Wright, D. M. Mahvi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Radio-frequency (RF) ablation is an important means of treatment of non-resectable primary and metastic liver tumors. The RF ablation of any but the smallest tumor requires the use of multiple overlapping treatment zones. Commercially available RF ablation generators, unlike cryoablation (a method of tumor destruction that utilizes cold rather than heat), are only capable of driving a single RF probe at a time. Using multiple probes simultaneously in RF ablation is desirable for treating large tumors and for treating multiple tumor metastases. Bipolar RF ablation, which has been previously studied by other groups, allows simultaneous usage of two probes. The energy converted to heat at each probe for bipolar RF ablation is necessarily equal. There have been no investigations of other methods that allow usage of multiple RF probes simultaneously. We investigate feasibility of a new method, where power is applied in an alternating fashion between two or more probes. This method allows independent control of the amount of energy deposited at each probe. We performed ex-vivo experiments with one (i.e. conventional ablation) and with two probes. In the two-probe experiment, both probes reached target temperature and created lesions of sizes comparable to conventional RF ablation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)408-411
Number of pages4
JournalAnnual Reports of the Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University
Volume1
StatePublished - 2001
Event23rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society - Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: Oct 25 2001Oct 28 2001

Keywords

  • Bipolar ablation
  • Hepatic ablation
  • Radio frequency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering

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